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MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees, Cubs discussing Brett Gardner for Starlin Castro trade

By Dave Stevenson

Sep 21, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are discussing trading outfielder Brett Gardner for infielder Starlin Castro 

The New York Yankees need a second baseman. The Chicago Cubs need an outfielder. The Yankees have a surplus outfielder in Brett Gardner. The Cubs have a surplus second baseman in Starlin Castro.

With this being the case, the two teams have discussed a trade that would give both what they want. Gardner would go to the Cubs and Castro would go to the Yankees, is what has been reported on Friday.

From NY Daily News:

"The Yankees have discussed the outfielder with “many teams” according to a major-league executive, and while it’s no certainty that Gardner will be traded, the team appears willing to move him in the right scenario.According to a second source, the Yankees and Cubs have discussed a swap involving Gardner and infielder Starlin Castro, who moved from shortstop to second base last season to make room for top prospect Addison Russell."

This is a curious trade that would work quite well for both teams. The Yankees recently traded for Twins outfielder Aaron Hicks, someone whom they will likely start in the lineup. With Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury also on the roster, Gardner is the odd man out. Gardner would give the Cubs an above-average leadoff hitter who could also fill their current vacancy in center field.

Starlin Castro could fill second base for the Yankees for the next few years. Castro is the kind of player who could benefit from a change in scenery. He’s coming off a down year in 2015, with a batting average of .265 with an on-base percentage of .296, as well as a slugging percentage of .375. He added 11 home runs and 69 RBI.

This would be a bit of a bold move by the Yankees. However, they must solve their second base issues and Rob Refsnyder hasn’t impressed despite being given multiple chances. A Castro trade could mean that Refsnyder would be traded as well.

The Yankees would obviously be taking on the far more risky player, but they’d be getting pretty good value for Brett Gardner. The Cubs would also be getting a relatively cheap center field upgrade and a potential upgrade to the top of their order.

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